P&O Cruises has pushed back its Australian bookings again, crushing the hopes of people planning a summer cruise.

The reason? Uncertainty about Omicron.

The cruise line will suspend its trips until March.

Executive Chair of Australian Chamber of Tourism, John Hart, says cruise lines just don’t think it’s worth the risk.

“It takes three to six months to get ships into Australia once we have a date set and it’s just not worth doing that and committing to that timeline if we’re not certain that we’ll be able to cruise,” he told Neil Mitchell.

Cruise ships cannot currently operate in Australia, but the biosecurity determination barring them from operation is due to be reviewed on December 17.

“Even if the ban was removed we really wouldn’t have ships in the country until maybe March,” Mr Hart said.

“If we miss March, we miss the whole cruising season in Australia.”

While there’s been some hesitation to get on a cruise ship during a pandemic, Mr Hart says “it’s safer than walking down the street … right now”.

“The work that they have done on these cruise ships is just extraordinary, from putting HEPA filters to having fresh air pumped through the ships, social distancing, reduced capacities, medical facilities, isolation cabins,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear more about the extended suspension of cruises